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Football: Ogden knocks off No. 9 Mount Ayr

Ogden senior Grant Heineman hauls in a 49-yard touchdown pass during the fourth quarter of Friday’s game at Mount Ayr. Heineman caught seven passes for 122 yards and two TDs in a 31-22 win over the No. 9 Raiders.

By Matt Oliver, Sports Editor

MOUNT AYR – The Ogden football team earned a big road win, knocking off Mount Ayr in a 31-22 victory on Friday.

“This was a program win,” Ogden coach Garrison Carter said. “Going on the road to a top 10 ranked team and coming out with a win is something not a lot of teams can do. I’m so proud of our boys’ effort.”

The Bulldogs (7-1) won for the fourth straight week, defeating Class 1A’s No. 9 Raiders (6-2) for the first time since 1992.

Ogden senior quarterback Caleb Frye completed 22-of-36 passes for 384 yards and three touchdowns. Frye set a new school record, besting his previous mark by 70 yards that he set in a 61-0 homecoming win over Colfax-Mingo (2-6).

“Despite being undersized at every position, I thought our offensive line held up really well and did a great job giving Caleb time to throw,” Carter said.

Mount Ayr held a 13-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, forcing the Bulldogs to battle back in the District 7 contest.

“We got off to a very poor start and it would have been really easy for our kids to fold,” Carter said. “They didn’t and that is a tremendous testament to our kids. They have the heart necessary to win big football games.”

Ogden senior Jonathon Thompson scored on a 6-yard run in the second quarter.

Luke West led the Bulldogs with 132 yards on five receptions. The junior pulled down a 16-yard TD pass, lifting Ogden to a 14-13 halftime lead.

The Bulldogs committed three turnovers in the win. Jacob Taylor intercepted two of Frye’s passes and Riley Wheeler recovered a fumble for the Raiders.

“We’ve been really sound in ball security this season, but we turned it over too much in this game,” Carter said. “We put our defense in some really tough spots and I thought they did a great job stepping up and bailing us out at times.”

Senior Grant Heineman caught seven passes for the Bulldogs, finishing with 122 yards and two TDs.

Heineman’s first TD reception pushed Ogden to a 21-13 advantage late in the third quarter.

Mount Ayr answered, finding the end zone. The Raiders came up empty on the 2-point conversion, trailing 21-19 at the end of the third.

Zach Vanderflught put the Raiders in front 22-21 with a 34-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

A 22-yard field goal from Kolton Christle reclaimed the lead for Ogden, 24-22. The senior also went 4-for-4 on point-after attempts.

Heineman hauled in a 49-yard TD reception with five minutes remaining.

“His final touchdown reception was a tremendous individual effort and it sealed the game for us,” Carter said. “Grant is one of the hardest working, most unselfish kids we have and it’s great to see him make huge plays in one of the biggest games he’s ever played in.”

Jacob Sobotka led the Raiders. The senior quarterback completed 11-of-21 passes for 107 yards and ran for 31 yards and two TDs. Erick Freed rushed for 50 yards and a TD, as Mount Ayr accounted for 120 yards on the ground and finished with 227 yards of offense.

Ogden sophomore Nick Ross came away with seven tackles and a fumble recovery. Jake West also recovered a fumble. Frye finished with six tackles, Jake West and Lentz provided five tackles apiece while junior Gyena Hansen and Jake West finished with four tackles each.

Junior Brian Cole made two stops for the Bulldogs and junior Treston Hagen and Haberer contributed one tackle apiece.

Ogden, now ranked No. 10, moved to 4-1 in district play and locked up second place as the Raiders dropped to 3-2.